The Core Answer: How JFK Was Shot
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot during a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. He was struck by two bullets: one entered the back of his neck and exited at the front throat, and a second bullet struck the rear of his skull. He was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. Official investigations concluded the shots came from the sixth-floor window of the Texas School Book Depository, fired by Lee Harvey Oswald. Below is a detailed breakdown of the verified timeline, locations, medical findings, and conclusions.
Timeline of Events on November 22, 1963
The following sequence is established by the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy (Warren Commission), law enforcement reports, and hospital records. Times are approximate where record shows minor variation.
| Time (Central) | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 11:37 a.m. | Air Force One lands at Love Field | Start of Dallas visit; motorcade route planned |
| 12:00–12:30 p.m. | Motorcade proceeds through downtown Dallas | Route passes Dealey Plaza and under overpass |
| 12:30 p.m. | Shots fired; JFK struck | Critical moment: two bullets hit the president |
| 12:33 p.m. | Jack Ruby calls reporters about shooting | Early public awareness and confusion |
| 12:35–12:40 p.m. | Emergency transport to Parkland Memorial Hospital | Initial medical assessment and attempts to save JFK |
| 1:00 p.m. | Pronounced dead at Parkland | Official confirmation of death |
| 2:30 p.m. | Oswald arrested at theater | Suspect taken into custody shortly after the shooting |
| 11:21 p.m. (Nov 24) | Jack Ruby shoots Oswald on live TV | Prevents judicial resolution and fuels conspiracy theories |
Locations and Route Details
The motorcade began at Love Field, proceeded through West End and downtown Dallas, and turned onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza. The Texas School Book Depository sits on the north side of Elm Street. The limousine took a gradual right curve immediately before and during the shooting, which influenced the angle and visibility for both the shooter and the occupants. Parkland Hospital, where JFK was pronounced dead, is approximately 4 miles from Dealey Plaza and was the primary emergency facility for the president that day.
Key Sites
- Love Field: departure point for the motorcade.
- Dealey Plaza: location of the shooting, including the ‘grassy knoll’ and Book Depository.
- Texas School Book Depository: building from which the Warren Commission concluded the shots were fired.
- Parkland Memorial Hospital: where JFK was pronounced dead.
Official Investigations and Findings
The Warren Commission (1963–1964) concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, firing three shots from the sixth-floor window of the Texas School Book Depository. The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) in 1979 found that Kennedy was likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy, based on acoustic evidence that has since been disputed and largely discredited by further analysis. Both investigations agree on the basic facts of the shooting, while differing in interpretation of evidence related to number of shots and possible additional gunmen.
Major Investigations at a Glance
| Investigation | Conclusion on Shooter(s) | Key Unresolved Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Warren Commission (1964) | Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone | Disputed acoustic evidence and photographic analysis |
| House Select Committee (1979) | Likely conspiracy; two shooters | Acoustic evidence reliability, identities of other shooters |
Medical and Autopsy Facts
Doctors at Parkland described massive head trauma and an exit wound in the throat. The autopsy, performed at Bethesda Naval Hospital, confirmed entry points consistent with the Warren Commission’s trajectory analysis. Disputed issues include the condition of the body before and after autopsy and the chain of custody for evidence, which have fueled speculation but do not change the core forensic conclusion that two shots struck the president.
Why This Question Remains Significant
How JFK was shot is well documented in official reports, yet public uncertainty persists due to conflicting accounts, film footage (notably the Zapruder film), and revelations over time. Understanding the verified facts helps contextualize ongoing debates about motive, possible accomplices, and the broader impact on U.S. politics and culture. The shooting remains a pivotal event in 20th-century American history, shaping policy, conspiracy discourse, and investigative standards.
Key Takeaways
President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot by bullets that entered from behind and above while riding in an open-top car in Dallas. The primary shooter was determined to be Lee Harvey Oswald, based on investigations and ballistics. Despite official conclusions, questions about completeness and interpretation endure. Key points include:
- Two shots struck JFK: one neck entry and one skull impact.
- Shooting occurred from the Texas School Book Depository’s sixth floor.
- Oswald was arrested shortly after and killed two days later by Jack Ruby.
- Official investigations differ on the likelihood of a conspiracy.
- The event remains central to public memory and historical study.